On the final Saturday of the 2025 NFL Draft, as names dwindled and cameras prepared to sign off, Jason Young was in his backyard in Corinth, Texas, cooking crawfish and stealing glances at the TV. The longtime Lake Dallas High School head coach wasn't hosting an NFL watch party — just a staff gathering for his wife's coworkers — but one player still on the board had everyone in his orbit holding their breath.

"I'm cooking, TV's on, and I'm texting Kobee's dad like, 'Anything? Hear anything yet?'" Young said. "Then I see the Patriots have the last pick — and I knew Kobee had taken a visit up there. I told my wife, 'Oh boy, we've got a shot here.' And then they call his name."

Kobee Minor, cornerback out of Memphis — and formerly Indiana, Texas Tech, and Lake Dallas High — was officially selected by the New England Patriots with the 257th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the year's "Mr. Irrelevant."

"I just started screaming in the backyard," Young said, laughing. "My wife's coworkers thought I'd lost it. I thought the police might show up. But I was so dang fired up for that kid."

"I Love It" — Fuel, Not a Fluke

For Minor, the moment capped off years of quiet perseverance — being overlooked, underrecruited, and underrated. Being the final pick in the draft didn't dampen the moment. In fact, it fit the narrative perfectly.

"To me, I love it," Minor said in his post-draft press conference. "I've never been a highly recruited guy. I've never been one of the top guys. So really this isn't anything new to me. I'm going to just go out here and do what I got to do, put my head down and grind, like I always have."

Far from being bothered by the "Mr. Irrelevant" label, Minor embraced it.

"It's just fuel to my fire," he said. "I'm going to continue to work and I'm excited for this opportunity."

And while he may not have been a household name on draft boards, Minor had already made a name for himself in places like Lake Dallas, Lubbock, Bloomington, and Memphis — by being dependable, selfless, and relentless.

From the Backyard to the Back End

Minor was a staple in the Lake Dallas football program from the time he arrived as a freshman. A varsity starter by his sophomore year, he quickly became the Falcons' best defensive back and an all-purpose weapon.

"He played safety, receiver, quarterback — whatever we needed," Young said. "He had the instincts. He saw things before they happened."

The trust came early. "Even as a sophomore, he was our best DB out there," Young said. "And off the field? Just a great kid. I never had a problem with him. You knew what you were getting every day — a leader."

Minor remembers that foundation well. "I went to a high school that wasn't far outside of Dallas," he said. "Lake Dallas High School, up north. I was a three-star recruit. I committed to Texas Tech and played there for three seasons, mostly on special teams."

But when his opportunity to start didn't materialize at Texas Tech — in part due to two super seniors receiving major NIL deals — Minor entered the transfer portal.

"They were giving those guys all kinds of money," Young explained. "Kobee knew what that meant. He wasn't going to get a fair shot."

Minor landed at Indiana, where he quickly earned a starting role. When that coaching staff was dismissed, he transferred again, this time to Memphis — where he put together his best season yet.

"I just ran with it," Minor said. "I'm here today because of every step along the way."

A Fit in Foxborough

Minor's path through three college programs speaks not only to his perseverance, but also his adaptability. According to his NFL.com scouting report, he's a fluid, versatile defender with good instincts, the ability to play multiple roles, and a willingness to contribute on special teams — traits that align well with New England's emphasis on versatility and discipline.

"When I came into college, I was a safety," Minor said. "I moved to corner, and at Memphis we had a nickel package for me. I know how to play each and every spot in the back end. I feel like that's what makes me versatile."

Asked to describe his style of play, Minor didn't hesitate. "I would say I'm a dog, for sure," he said. "You're going to get a hard worker, a guy that does everything right on and off the field. You're getting a good football player — and a better person."

He also noted that he takes pride in tackling, physicality, and doing the little things that win games. "I'll come up in run support. I'm a technician. I'll do whatever I can to help the team."

That mindset — doing the dirty work, playing special teams, contributing in the slot or on the boundary — gives Minor a real shot at making New England's roster. The Patriots only hosted a handful of prospects for top-30 visits, and Minor was one of them.

"It gave me that family feel, like I was back at home," he said. "Nice staff. I enjoyed the visit a lot. I'm just glad they took a chance on me."

Character That Sticks

Minor credits his upbringing for keeping him grounded through it all.

"I was raised in a two-parent household," he said. "I was taught to always do the right thing and treat people with respect. Keep God first, and good things will happen. That's what I live by."

Coach Young saw that same consistency early. "He's going to do anything and everything they ask of him," Young said. "And he's just getting started. His best football is still ahead of him."

Minor agrees. He's not looking for headlines — just a chance.

"This isn't new to me," he said. "I've always had to prove myself. I've always had to work. And I'm going to keep doing that."

The Last Pick — and the Next Step

Being the final pick in the NFL Draft comes with a title — but it's not the end of the road. It's the beginning. Kobee Minor's entire football journey has prepared him for that moment: overlooked, underhyped, but never underprepared.

And if you ask the coach who jumped out of his chair in a Texas backyard that afternoon, this story's far from finished.

"I think he's got the ability to stick around this league for a while," Jason Young said. "That title might say Mr. Irrelevant, but to us? He's anything but."

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer